Patents Issued in December 26, 2006
  • Patent number: 7152256
    Abstract: A padded tub liner for protecting a user from an impact caused by slipping in a bathtub. The padded tub liner includes a bottom portion designed for resting upon a bottom surface of the bathtub; a first side portion operationally coupled to the bottom portion, and designed for abutting a side surface of the bathtub; and a second side portion operationally coupled to the bottom portion opposite the first side portion, and designed for abutting a second side surface of the bathtub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Holly Roberts
  • Patent number: 7152257
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toilet construction comprising at least two adjacent toilet cubicles which respectively have a toilet and an access opening which can be closed by means of a door, said toilet cubicles being separated by means of a partition. According to the invention, the partition can be displaced between a separating position in which it separates the toilet cubicles from each other, and an unblocking position in which the two toilet cubicles together form an individual toilet cubicle. Alternatively, the partition can be displaced essentially perpendicularly to its wall plane in a shifted position in which the floor space of one toilet cubicle is enlarged and the floor space of the other toilet cubicle is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Wall Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hartmut Lasch, legal representative, Walter Hardt, Michael Stratmann, deceased
  • Patent number: 7152258
    Abstract: A stand is described for supporting a hammock, the stand comprising several tubular members which can be assembled into an arc shaped stand having a support hook on one end and two horizontally spaced support hooks on the opposite end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Jesse A. Branch, III
  • Patent number: 7152259
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a bed and bed sheet combination is disclosed. The apparatus is an extender sheet to be used in combination with an existing top sheet on a bed, with the extender sheet being removably attached to the top sheet. The purpose of the extender sheet is to make sure that the top sheet would not be removed, or become “untucked,” during a sleeping period of an individual using a bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Barbara Goodwin
  • Patent number: 7152260
    Abstract: A holding appliance for use in bedding, includes a belt adapted to be wound around a bottom surface of a bed, two hook devices provided at both terminals of the belt, and two fastening devices for holding and fastening portions of a periphery of the bedding, the fastening devices being adapted to be caught by the hook devices. In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, there is disclosed a holding appliance for use in bedding, that includes a hook member adapted to be interposed and located between a bed base and a mattress on the bed base, and a fastening device for holding and fastening a portion of a periphery of the bedding, the fastening device being adapted to be caught by the hooking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: OTA Kosan Corporation
    Inventor: Kinjiro Ota
  • Patent number: 7152261
    Abstract: A modular, multi-articulated patient support system includes independently adjustable columns connected by an adjustable base and supporting a patient support structure. Each column includes rotation, angulation and separation adjustment structure. The patient support may be raised, lowered and rotated about a longitudinal axis in either horizontal or tilted orientation. The patient support includes a body support rotatably coupled with right and left leg supports disengageable at the outboard ends, that can be tilted, rotated and locked in place. An intermediate brace engages the base when the outboard ends of the leg supports are disengaged. The patient support structure may include two pairs of patient supports, each attached at the outboard end of a column and having a free inboard end. A coordinated drive system raises, lowers, tilts and rotates the patient supports, which may be positioned in overlapping relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Roger P. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7152262
    Abstract: A fixed rod member is provided integrally with at least both sides of the lateral direction of the periphery of a bendable spring unit. A hinge mechanism is provided at the end portion of the fixed rod member. The hinge mechanism is connected by a movable rod member provided integrally with the periphery of at least one end portion of the spring unit. Thus, one end portion of the spring unit is configured to be bent together with the movable rod member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: France Bed Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Ikeda, Yoshio Oguma, Yukihiko Takaishi
  • Patent number: 7152263
    Abstract: The multi-layer pillow includes an upper layer which includes at least two chambers in addition to a center chamber and a lower layer which includes at least three chambers arranged laterally side-by-side. The first and second layers have approximately the same outline and are secured together around the peripheries thereof. There is filling in at least the three chambers of the lower layer and in at least the two chambers of the upper layer, with no filling in the center chamber of the upper layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Pacific Coast Feather Company
    Inventor: Juliette M. Delfs
  • Patent number: 7152264
    Abstract: An air mattress includes a first inflatable compartment having a length and width, when inflated, sufficient to support a human body. The first compartment is composed of at least two layers of vinyl, one layer of vinyl forming the top of the compartment and the second forming the bottom. A second inflatable compartment extends generally the length and width of the first compartment and is attached to the first compartment through a perimeter seal that is recessed from the periphery of the air mattress. The second compartment is tufted and so contain a layer of resilient material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Dennis Boyd
  • Patent number: 7152265
    Abstract: An inflatable product includes a pack having a first vent with a first valve, a second vent with a second valve, a third vent in communication with the ambient, a first chamber in communication with the first vent, a second chamber in communication with the second vent, and an air pump pumping air into and out of the pack through the third vent when activated in a first and second direction. A first switch structure is movable between first and second orientations. The first orientation opens the first valve and activates the air pump in the first direction to inflate the first chamber. The second orientation closes the first valve. A second switch structure is movable between third and fourth orientations. The third orientation opens the second valve and activates the air pump in the second direction to deflate the second chamber. The fourth orientation closes the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Team Worldwide Corporation
    Inventor: Wang Cheng Chung
  • Patent number: 7152266
    Abstract: A scrubbing device for facilitating scrubbing of a surface. The scrubbing device includes a base member being designed for being gripped by a hand of a user. A brush member is rotatably coupled to the base member. The brush member is designed for engaging a surface whereby the brush member is for scrubbing the surface. A motor assembly is positioned in the base member. The motor assembly is operationally coupled to the brush member whereby the motor assembly is for rotating the brush member with respect to the base member to facilitate scrubbing of the surface. The base member being sealed whereby the base member is designed for inhibiting water from contacting the motor assembly and damaging the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Delaine Haughton
  • Patent number: 7152267
    Abstract: A light weight floor sweeper having a very low profile sweeper head that uses glides rather than rollers to slide across the surface to be cleaned. The floor sweeper head is mounted to an elongated handle by a universal pivot or universal joint which allows the floor sweeper head to easily pivot about the handle in any direction to pick up debris under over hanging cabinets or under furniture. The floor sweeper has sweeping brushes mounted around all sides of the sweeper head to provide sweeping action in any direction. Furthermore there are corner brushes extending out from the sides of the sweeper head that reach into corners to sweep debris toward the main sweeping brushes. All of the brushes are powered by a small electric motor. The motor drives the brushes to direct the debris into a dust-receiving tray in the sweeper head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Bryan Kaleta
  • Patent number: 7152268
    Abstract: A corrugated box finishing machine has a station where dust, debris and other particles are cleaned from the corrugated boards before they are conveyed to the printing station. Electrostatic charges on the particles are neutralized by a static bar and the particles are then removed from the boards by a rotating brush. The particles are drawn into a vacuum chamber underlying the path of conveyance of the boards, and the static bar is positioned in an enclosure in proximity to the boards but isolated from the vacuum in the vacuum chamber. The enclosure has surfaces which direct the particles away from the static bar which is oriented to further minimize contact with the removed particles. The cleaning brush includes a plurality of brush sections mounted on a rotatable shaft made from carbon fiber material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Sun Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Cunnington Phillips, III, Yury Polikov, Joseph John Weishew
  • Patent number: 7152269
    Abstract: The invention relates to a washing device, in particular a wash brush for car wash units, which is rotationally or peripherally positioned and powered. The washing device has several essentially horizontal projecting, bristle type wash elements located at its periphery and several strip-shaped wash elements which are arranged in an alternating fashion. The bristle-shaped wash elements are longer and harder than the strip shaped wash elements. The strip-shaped wash elements can be made of a closed pore foam material or a fiber material. The wash elements can be arranged in an alternating fashion in the peripheral direction and/or the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Washtec Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Günter Windel
  • Patent number: 7152270
    Abstract: A wiper assembly wipes precipitation and debris of a windshield of a motor vehicle. The wiper assembly includes a drive motor fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. The wiper assembly also includes a wiper arm secured to the drive motor. The drive motor pivots the wiper arm across the windshield to clean the windshield. The wiper arm extends between a motor end and a distal end. The wiper arm also includes a separator extending along the wiper arm. The separator lifts the wiper arm away from the windshield allowing for the removal of debris from the windshield and the wiper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: W3 Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond M. Genick, II, John Edward Campbell
  • Patent number: 7152271
    Abstract: A vacuum selector is provided. The vacuum selector includes a housing having first and second faces, the first face including first and second openings, the second face including a primary opening that communicates with the first and second openings along a flow path through the housing. The vacuum selector further includes a slider member movably provided in the housing and traversing the flow path, the slider member including a selector opening therethrough, the slider member being movable transversely to the flow path such that the selector opening changes the flow path to adjust flow communication between the primary opening and the first and second openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas Sebastian Pfautz
  • Patent number: 7152272
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system for a vehicle includes a console (12), which may be centrally positioned between the front seats (16) of the vehicle. A canister (10), in the form of a drawer to the console, is selectively removed, when vacuuming is to be commenced, and a flexible hose (96) unclamped from a side compartment (112) of the canister. The canister, with the hose attached, is carried by a handle strap (58) to a part of the car to be cleaned. A motor fan assembly (70) within the canister is powered from the vehicle's battery by means of a power cord (84) to draw dirt into a dirt cup (90) in the canister. Entrained air passes from the dirt cup through a filter (94) and is directed by the fan to an exhaust outlet (82) in the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Rukavina, Craig M. Saunders, Lindsey Tufts, Jr., David L O'Neal, Dennis Jenkins, Robert J. Herzog, John Schiffer
  • Patent number: 7152273
    Abstract: Floor cleaning apparatus (10) comprises a dispenser (50) for dispensing particulate cleaning material onto a floor surface. Particulate material is held in a hopper (52). Movable part (70, 71) is movable with respect to the hopper (52) to define a dispensing aperture (75) and for imparting movement to particulate material in the hopper towards the dispensing aperture (75). Adjustment means (80) are provided for adjusting the operational width of the dispensing aperture (75) so as to provide a range of dispensing settings. Adjustment means (80) is pivotally mounted to the movable part (70, 71) about a rotational axis (82) and has an outer surface which acts as a camming surface. The radius of the outer surface varies in value in different angular directions about the rotational axis (82). Adjustment means (82) provides a discrete set of different spacings between the cam (40) and movable part (71).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Dyson Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Benjamin Courtney
  • Patent number: 7152274
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a carpet engaging nozzle base and an upper housing pivotally attached to the nozzle base. The upright vacuum cleaner further includes a removable bucket releasably secured to the upper housing and a bucket handle rotatably attached to the bucket and movable between a first position and a second position. The upright vacuum cleaner yet further includes a latch adapted to secure the bucket to the upper housing when the handle is in the first position and release the bucket from the upper portion when the handle is in a second position. The bucket may be removed from the upper housing when the latch is released from the upper housing. The bucket is re-secured to the upper housing by returning the bucket handle to the first position. A method of operating a upright vacuum cleaner is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: William G. Alford, Erik D. Lesco
  • Patent number: 7152275
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a housing including a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. A dirt container is connected to the housing. The dirt container includes a collection chamber and a combined handle and inlet flow passageway. An airstream conduit conveys a vacuum airstream from the nozzle to the inlet flow passageway. A fan and motor assembly generates the vacuum airstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: J. Erik Hitzelberger, Danielle M. Hafling, Amy N. Mudd
  • Patent number: 7152276
    Abstract: A filter assembly for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus of a vacuum cleaner which filters dust included in the air current discharged from the outlet port of the cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus. The present filter assembly comprises a rotating filter rotatively coupled against the outlet port and an inlet grill; an operation bar; and a handling knob. The dust collected on the outer surface of the rotating filter may be removed by rotating the rotating filter with the handling knob and thus improves dust-collecting efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyoung-Jong Jin, Jang-Keun Oh
  • Patent number: 7152277
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner, centrifugally separates contaminates from air and collects them in a filter assembly that includes a rotary filter connected to an exhaust port. The filter is provided with a suction grill portion at the outer circumference and a discharge port that is fluidly connected to the exhaust port of the cyclone type dust collecting apparatus. Contaminants accumulated on the outer surface of the filter are easily removed by rotating the filter in association with the dust receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Il-du Jung, Jang-keun Oh
  • Patent number: 7152278
    Abstract: In a nonwoven card for the production of nonwoven fabric of fiber material, with a drawing-in means (2,4), a licker-in (6), a main cylinder (16), and at least one fiber doffer means (18) engaged with the main cylinder (16), for doffing a card web, the drawing-in means (2,4) transferring the fiber material to the licker-in (6) and a transfer means (8) transferring the fiber material at least double from the licker-in (6) to the main cylinder (16) via rollers (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 12, 12a, 12b, 14), it is provided that at least one of the rollers (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 12, 12a, 12b, 14) of the transfer means (8) is a random roller (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) rotating in the same direction as the main cylinder (16) and the licker-in (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Spinnbau GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Bernhardt, Robert Kamprath, Heinz-Werner Naumann-Burghardt
  • Patent number: 7152279
    Abstract: A device for releasably attaching a towel to clothing of a user. The device includes a towel having an eyelet passing therethrough and a clasp for extending through the eyelet and releasably connecting with an article of clothing of a user. The towel may be removed from engagement with the clasp for cleaning when desired. The attachment of the device to the clothing of the user allows a towel to be readily available to the user for drying the user or cleaning an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Paul Elliott
  • Patent number: 7152280
    Abstract: A napkin holder, specifically a sanitizer napkin holder which includes a pre-moistened towellette contained within the flexible ring-shaped napkin holder. The napkin ring may be torn away from a napkin along a perforated line. A pull-tab is provided to access the pocket containing the pre-moistened towellette, and a tear line is provided for further opening the pocket for even easier access to the towellette within.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Lysandra Taylor
  • Patent number: 7152281
    Abstract: A fastener for connecting a first component to a second component includes a first component connecting end allowing relative movement between a first component connected thereto and the fastener during assembly and during conditions of expansion and contraction. A second component connecting end of the fastener is configured for connecting to a second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventor: Derek Scroggie
  • Patent number: 7152282
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fastener for clips to be applied to jewelry and costume jewelry products and to clothing accessories, bags and the like. The fastener utilizes a mechanical device actuated through the action of magnets. According to one arrangement, the mobile components of the clip, shaped substantially in the form of small pins that carry out the mechanical fastening, consist of magnets, for which, in each pair of said permanent magnets, there is mutual attraction and therefore closing of the fastening device when they are arranged with the poles opposite, i.e. when one is arranged in such a way that its positive pole faces towards the negative pole of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Cost-Cast S.R.L.
    Inventor: Antonio Costa
  • Patent number: 7152283
    Abstract: A surface fastener and a product attached with the same surface fastener, having a structure for reducing a sound generated upon separation of a surface fastener member itself and capable of reducing a sound generated upon separation of the product attached with the same surface fastener. A sheet material is attached to a rear surface of a flat base material of a surface fastener member comprising an engaging-element-formation region having multiple engaging elements on a front surface of the flat base material and an engaging-element non-formation region having no engaging elements or comprising a sewing region and a non-sewing region. The sheet material has apparent density of 0.5 g/cm3 or less at least in a region corresponding to the engaging-element-formation region or the non-sewing region as sound transmission restricting means, or has at least one through hole as the sound transmission restricting means. Further, the apparent density of the flat base material is set to 0.5 g/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Teiichi Murayama, Shintaro Ohsugi, Akira Ishibashi, Masashi Doi, Mamoru Tanaka, Yoshihiro Hashizume
  • Patent number: 7152284
    Abstract: A clip apparatus or method for sheet materials comprising a clip member and a collar member. The clip member is resilient and defines a hinge portion, first and second finger portions extending from the hinge portion, and a ratchet portion formed on at least one of the first and second finger portions. The collar member is resilient and defines a latch portion, a lever portion, a latch opening, and a housing interior. The collar member acts on the clip member to place the clip member in the closed configuration. The latch portion engages the ratchet portion through the latch opening to inhibit movement of the collar member. When the collar member is in a disengaged configuration, the collar member may move relative to the clip member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Homax Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester R. Greer, Jr., Randal W. Hanson, Wilfred Joseph Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 7152285
    Abstract: A shoe fastening device includes a body having two open ends and two push members are movably inserted in the body from the two open ends and a spring is connected between the two push members. Two ends of a string extend through two passages in the two push members and two holes in the body. A side frame extends from an outer periphery of the body and includes a space defined therethrough. Two apertures are defined through the side frame and communicate with the space. A rib extends from an inside of an inside of the space and is located between the two apertures. A positioning member is removably connected to the side frame via the two apertures and the two ends of the string is positioned at the clamp portions of the positioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Cheng-Naang Liao
  • Patent number: 7152286
    Abstract: A shoe clip (100) includes two members (10, 12) that attach together in positions above and beneath shoe laces (20), to grip the shoe laces (20) between them and position the clip (100) on the shoe (22). A first member (10) is shaped and sized to slide under one or more laces (10) of the shoe, without requiring unlacing thereof. A second member (12) rotatably attaches at one end to the first member and, after insertion of the first member (10) beneath the laces (10), rotates to overlie the first member (10). The members then fasten to one another at their free ends (15, 17), such that the members grip the laces (20) between them. The second member supports or is integral with a component that is to be attached to the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Dynastream Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: James Rooney, Kipling Fyfe, Ken Fyfe, Wade Bortz
  • Patent number: 7152287
    Abstract: A yarn texturizing system, apparatus, and methods of reducing production loss or increasing production speed in a continuous textured yarn production process are provided. The system includes a yarn supply, a yarn stuffing container to produce textured yarn periodically released therefrom, a yarn draw to draw yarn from the yarn supply to the yarn stuffing container, a yarn conveyor belt positioned downstream from the yarn stuffing container, and a yarn bundler positioned between the yarn stuffing container and the yarn conveyor belt to bundle the textured yarn prior to deposit onto the yarn conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: American Linc Corporation
    Inventor: D. Lynn Hoover
  • Patent number: 7152288
    Abstract: The instant invention is a stuffer box crimper and a method for crimping. The stuffer box crimper according to instant invention includes a pair of nip rollers, a pair of doctor blades, and a stuffer box. The pair of doctor blades is adjacent to an exit end of the pair of nip rollers. The stuffer box includes a stuffer box channel adjacent to the pair of doctor blades, and the stuffer box channel includes a surface consisting of a hard material having a hardness of at least 60 Rc. The method of crimping according to instant invention includes the steps of (1) providing a stuffer box crimper including a stuffer box having a stuffer box channel including a surface consisting of a hard material having a hardness of at least 60 Rc; and (2) crimping via the stuffer box crimper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Celanese Acetate LLC
    Inventors: William S. Sanderson, Donald T. Stilwell
  • Patent number: 7152289
    Abstract: A method for forming a device on a substrate of <110> silicon includes forming a first conductive layer onto the substrate, and forming a piezoelectric layer on the first portion of a first conductive layer. A second electrode is formed on the piezoelectric layer, and a backside portion of the substrate under the piezoelectric layer and the first conductive layer is removed using a crystal orientated dependent etch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Li-Peng Wang, Qing Ma, Israel Yankovich
  • Patent number: 7152290
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a piezoelectric actuator and a liquid ejecting head. In particular, a substrate, which is to be a vibration plate actuated by a piezoelectric element is prepared. A plurality of chip regions are defined on the substrate. A first common electrode of the piezoelectric element is formed on the substrate. A first piezoelectric layer of the piezoelectric element is formed on the first common electrode. A drive electrode of the piezoelectric element is formed on the first piezoelectric layer. A second piezoelectric layer of the piezoelectric element is formed on the drive electrode. A second common electrode of the piezoelectric element is formed on the second piezoelectric layer. Then, the substrate is cut so as to divide the chip regions from one another. In the aforementioned aspects of the invention, the first and second common electrodes as well as the drive electrode are formed so as not to extend beyond the outline of each of the chip regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Chang Junhua, Takahiro Katakura, Motonori Okumura
  • Patent number: 7152291
    Abstract: Improved method steps for terminating multilayer electronic components are disclosed. Monolithic components are formed with plated terminations whereby the need for typical thick-film termination stripes is eliminated or greatly simplified. Such termination technology eliminates many typical termination problems and enables a higher number of terminations with finer pitch, which may be especially beneficial on smaller electronic components. Electrode and dielectric layers are provided in an interleaved arrangement and selected portions of the electrode layers are exposed. Electrically isolated anchor tabs may optionally be provided and exposed in some embodiments. Termination material is then plated to the exposed portions of the electrode layers until exposed portions of selected such portions thereof are connected. A variety of different plating techniques and termination materials may be employed in the formation of the subject self-determining plated terminations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew P. Ritter, Robert Heistand, II, John L. Galvagni, Sriram Dattaguru
  • Patent number: 7152292
    Abstract: A roller folding head is disclosed. Roller folding heads are used, for instance, when fixing the frame of a sliding roof in an opening in the roof of a vehicle. In order to do this quickly and automatically, the roller folding head is provided with at least two pairs of rollers, each pair of rollers consisting of a pressure roller and a counter-roller which interact in order to bend a flange along a folding line at a specific angle. The folding process is carried out in several stages, one flange being crimped around another flange in a series of partial steps at an angle of 180°. One pair of rollers is provided for each step, at least two thereof being arranged on a roller folding head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: EDAG Engineering + Design AG
    Inventors: Ewald Quell, Manfred Hohmann, Marc Burzlaff
  • Patent number: 7152293
    Abstract: This is a device use for removing a hinge pin from its hinge assembly safely, quickly, and easily, using lever action instead of the traditional hammering or banging. This device is placed over the top of the door hinge, where it rests by grabbing the head of the hinge pin. It has a handle that is attached to a gear wheel, which rotates on a shaft, when the handle is moved up and down. It has an L shaped arm that has a thin rod attached to it lower part. The L shaped arm has teeth on it backside, which interlocks with the gear wheel. When the handle is pulled sown, the gear wheel rotates and raised the L shaped arm. This raises the thin rod that is attached to the L shaped arm, which in turn pushes up against the bottom of the hinge pin, thus raising the hinge pin up and out of the door hinge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Edward Abrahamson
  • Patent number: 7152294
    Abstract: A symmetrical self-attaching female fastener including a body having a bore, and identical integral tubular barrel portions extending from opposed ends of the body coaxially aligned with the bore. The installation method includes driving either barrel portion through an opening in a panel, which may be formed by piercing the panel with the barrel portion, and simultaneously deforming both barrel portions radially outwardly and inwardly, wherein one barrel portion entraps the panel and the other exposed barrel portion is folded at an acute angle relative to the bore to reduce the overall length of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corp.
    Inventor: Harold A. Ladouceur
  • Patent number: 7152295
    Abstract: A fastening arrangement for a center console module of a motor vehicle includes a transversely extending assembly carrier, a pedal bracket rigidly fastened to the assembly carrier, and a front wall cover connected with the pedal bracket. The assembly carrier is fastened by way of first screwed connections to the two adjoining opposite A-columns, and the front wall cover is fastened by way of second screwed connections to the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.f. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Erwin Goetz, Heinz Murau, Guido Horsch, Joerg Rambow, Friedrich Hoge, Jochen Leise
  • Patent number: 7152296
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for forming a planiform piece intended, in particular, for the interior fittings of motor vehicles, in which a layer of support material (1) is covered, at least on one of its faces (2) and in the area of a portion (3), at least, of its contour, or so-called portion to be bordered, with a cladding sheet (4) and said support (1) is cut along said portion to be bordered (3) in such a way that said cladding (4) projects from said support (1) in the area of said portion. According to the invention, a cutting tool (5) is pre-positioned between said cladding (4) and said support (1) along said portion to bordered (3) said cutting is effected with said cutting tool (5), when the support (1) is covered by the cladding (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Saelen, Jean-Yves Delattre, Bernard Freycon
  • Patent number: 7152297
    Abstract: A self-attaching fastener for thick panels having a pilot and a groove in a flange portion including an inclined outer wall and a bottom wall having an inclined portion extending to the outer face of the pilot and a concave surface in the outer face of the pilot adjacent the bottom wall. A die set for various panel thicknesses each having a projecting lip including an end face and first and second inclined faces which deform the panel against the inclined bottom wall and beneath the concave surface of the pilot. And, a method of attaching the fastener to a metal panel, wherein the die lip deforms a panel against the inclined bottom wall portion adjacent the pilot portion, inwardly into the concave surface and outwardly beneath the groove outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: Harold A. Ladouceur, John J. Vrana
  • Patent number: 7152299
    Abstract: Electro-dynamic loudspeakers typically include a diaphragm having a conductor applied to one of its surfaces. The diaphragm is secured to a frame. The conductor is connected to a power supply for providing electrical current through linear traces of the conductor that interact with magnetic fields generated by magnets that are mounted to the frame. The diaphragm is driven by a motive force created when current passes through the conductor within the magnetic field. The electrical current is varied to create an acoustical output from the electro-dynamic loudspeaker. Different frame structures are provided for simplifying the manufacturing process and defining a reduced cost electro-dynamic loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Louis A. Mango, John F. Steere, David B. Garner, Steven W. Hutt, Ronald E. Fenwick
  • Patent number: 7152300
    Abstract: A microactuator includes a stationary element, a movable element, and a first microstructure. The stationary element is fixed on a substrate and has a plurality of stationary element electrodes arranged at a predetermined pitch. The movable element has a plurality of movable element electrodes opposing to the stationary element electrodes. The movable element is moved by applying a voltage across the stationary element and the movable element. The first microstructure is formed on at least one of the opposing surfaces of the movable element and the stationary element to prevent the movable element from attaching to the stationary element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7152301
    Abstract: A method for winding a stator of a multi-phase motor includes successively winding each of a plurality of teeth on the stator with a continuous winding wire to connect each of the phases in the motor together. The wound wire is disconnected between any two phases where respective ends of the two phases connected by the winding wire are not neutral ends. A jumper wire is connected between a neutral end of any one of the phases to a neutral end of at least one other phase if the neutral end of any one of the phases is not connected to the neutral end of at least one other phase by the winding wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Pacsci Motion Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Rittmeyer
  • Patent number: 7152302
    Abstract: A method of producing an electrical connection structure between at least two superconducting lines. The method comprises adding metal powder or alloy powder to a superconducting material comprising magnesium diboride, intervening the superconducting material between at least two superconducting lines, and heating said superconducting lines and said superconducting material to a temperature lower than the melting point of said superconducting material prior to the addition of said metal powder or alloy powder thereto, but higher than the melting point of said metal powder or alloy powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morita, Kazuhide Tanaka, Yasuo Suzuki, Michiya Okada
  • Patent number: 7152303
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the pitch static attitude of a slider in an integrated lead suspension head gimbal assembly. The integrated lead suspension includes a load beam, a mount plate, a hinge and a flexure made out of a multi-layer material. Localized heating is applied to the outrigger leads during the process of forming flexure legs to set a stable pitch static attitude, which does not change, by subsequent thermal exposures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands BV
    Inventors: William W. Childers, Tzong-Shii Pan, Surya Pattanaik
  • Patent number: 7152304
    Abstract: Patterned, longitudinally and transversely antiferromagnetically exchange biased GMR sensors are provided which have narrow effective trackwidths and reduced side reading. The exchange biasing significantly reduces signals produced by the portion of the ferromagnetic free layer that is underneath the conducting leads while still providing a strong pinning field to maintain sensor stability. In the case of the transversely biased sensor, the magnetization of the free and biasing layers in the same direction as the pinned layer simplifies the fabrication process and permits the formation of thinner leads by eliminating the necessity for current shunting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng T. Horng, Min Li, Ru-Ying Tong, Yun-Fei Li, You Fong Zheng, Simon Liao, Kochan Ju, Cherng Chyi Han
  • Patent number: 7152305
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) read head is disclosed including a shield layer with a recessed portion and a protruding portion defined by the recessed portion. Also included is an MR sensor located in vertical alignment with the protruding portion of the shield layer. Further provided is at least one gap layer situated above and below the MR sensor. At least one of such gap layers is positioned in the recessed portion of the shield layer. By this design, a combined thickness of the gap layers is thinner adjacent to the MR sensor and the protruding portion of the shield layer, while being thicker adjacent to the recessed portion of the shield layer. As such, optimum insulation is provided while maintaining planar gap layer surfaces to avoid the detrimental ramifications of reflective notching and the swing curve effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Douglas Werner
  • Patent number: 7152306
    Abstract: A method for installing a stator winding in a stator core. A winding turn is formed by drawing a cable portion from a cable reel and inserting it into two winding slots. Each winding turn that is jointlessly connected to first winding turn and has the same winding direction as the first turn is formed by making this winding turn include a cable section corresponding to a turn on the reel that has been lifted off the reel by lateral movement over a gable of the reel. To form each winding turn that is jointlessly connected to the first winding turn and has a second winding direction opposite the winding direction of the first turn, the cable portion forming this winding turn is made to include a section corresponding to a turn on the reel that has been lifted off the reel by lateral movement over the other gable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Birger Andersson, Lars Öhrn, John Seppas, Hans-Åke Eriksson, Gunnar Porsby, Göran Eriksson, Jan-Olof Lamell, Ville Voutilainen, Daniel Dahlblom, Lars Bjernegård